An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
